Donald Johanos conducts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Little needs to be said about this audiophile classic. During his eight-year tenure as conductor, Johanos made notable recordings with the DSO, including this rendition of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances. He also appointed Paul Freeman associate conductor, one of the first blacks to serve in such a post in the Southern US, prompting threats to both conductors.

"The tape recording was made at a speed of 30 inches-per-second, using a transport modified to produce exceptionally good motion: a specially developed constant-velocity recording curve was employed for improved signal-to-noise ratio. The lacquer masters were made directly from the original tape, thus avoiding further transfer degradation. The result is a recording of exceptional clarity, naturalness and freedom from vices prevalent generally in the art." - from the original liner notes